February 5-6, 2008, Fayette County

Major Winter Storm to Bring Heavy Snow and Ice Impacts; Dangerously Cold in the North-Central U.S.

A large, long-duration winter storm is expected to bring widespread heavy snow, sleet, and freezing rain from the Southern Rockies/Plains into the Mid-South beginning Friday, spreading eastward to the Mid-Atlantic and New England this weekend. An Arctic front will bring frigid temperatures and gusty winds that will lead to dangerous wind chills from the Northern Plains and Upper Midwest. Read More >

75mph straight-line winds

A fast-moving squall line produced straight-line wind damage across the Lexington metro area of Fayette County during the early morning hours of February 6, roughly between 1:29am and 1:39am EST. Most of the wind damage that occurred indicated that 50 to 60 mph winds occurred. However, two concentrated areas in urban Lexington produced maximum wind speeds of 75 mph (hurricane force).

The first concentrated area of damage occurred along Harrodsburg Road just west of downtown near Larkin and Cardinal roads. Power lines and trees were snapped and downed. At 334 American Road a house was destroyed from a large uprooted tree falling onto it.

The second area of concentrated wind damage occurred on the east side of the metro area along Winchester Road. A newly built tire store near Zesta Drive and Tennessee Avenue had two brick walls blown down from west to east. The Hardee's close by had its windows blown out. The Bluegrass Antique Mall had a westward facing loading dock support pushed toward the east, with aluminum siding pushed in the same direction. A Smucker's JIF building had the roof blown off onto another nearby building. Large steel garbage containers were turned over as well as trailers flipped on their sides.

Major Winter Storm to Bring Heavy Snow and Ice Impacts; Dangerously Cold in the North-Central U.S.

February 5-6, 2008, Fayette County

Fayette County

75mph straight-line winds

Wind Damage Photos

Winchester Road